that’s all the more reason to question the boy,” Buck added. “But I’ll make a deal with you. If Dalton regains his memory and he backs up Jess’s accident story, then I won’t involve the kid. But if he tells a whole different tale, then I have no choice but to question Danny. He could be the key to the truth.”
Chase stuck out his hand for a shake. “Deal. In the meantime, I’m going to get Jess settled in. She’s going to need some of her things from the house.”
“Fine, as long as you escort her.” Buck inclined his head and studied him a moment. “You gonna keep her at the cabin?”
His dad’s tone sounded like he planned to hold Jess hostage. “No. I’m going to find her another place to rent.”
“Good. I wouldn’t want folks around here thinking you’re in cahoots with a suspect. That wouldn’t be proper behavior for a peace officer.”
Chase gritted his teeth and spoke through them. “Best I recall, we don’t name a suspect unless we know a crime’s taken place.”
Buck hitched up his pants. “True. You still don’t need to be too friendly with her, just in case.”
“She is a friend, Buck, and has been for as long as I can remember.” Even though that friendship had suffered in the past few years, thanks to his stupidity.
Buck gave him a condescending pat on the back. “Look, son, people change. Jess just might not be that girl you used to know.”
Chase wouldn’t even make an attempt at denial because he acknowledged his dad was partially right—Jess wasn’t the same. Neither was he.
Without further comment, he spun around and headed toward his office to take care of some pressing arrangements. He made a quick call to Gabe Wooley, who was more than happy to have someone renting the old home place until the family decided whether they wanted to sell it.
Satisfied he’d done something constructive today, Chase made his way to the break room to find Jess and Danny sitting at the small round table in the corner, looking like they could both use a friend.
And that’s what he intended to be to them both—a friend. To hell with propriety.
“Let’s go,” he said when Jess looked up.
“Is it Danny’s turn?” she asked in a voice barely above a whisper.
“Not today.”
Her shoulders sagged from obvious relief. “We can go?”
“Yeah.” Chase didn’t have the heart tell her it might only be a temporary reprieve.
Jess stood and pulled out Danny’s chair. “Let’s go, sweetie. We need to look for a place to stay.”
“I’ve got that covered.”
Jess and Danny exchanged a look before Jess asked, “Where?”
“You’ll see.”
JESS COULD ONLY SEE overgrown trees and knee-high, winter-dry grass as Chase maneuvered the department’s SUV up the narrow road. But she’d recognized the area immediately as soon as they turned off the highway. Many times she’d accompanied her mother to the place to deliver supplies to widowed Nita Wooley, whose health had declined in recent years. The same place where Nita and Gabe Sr. had raised five children on a limited income but a lot of love.
Once Chase stopped near the front door, Jess glanced back to see Danny staring out the window with curiosity. She could only imagine the thoughts running through his mind—his mother was taking him from a custom-built, modern multilevel semi-mansion to a small, weather-worn, single-story farm house.
As far as Jess was concerned, if the place was relatively clean, furnished and warm, they would make do. At least there was plenty of privacy and enough room for Danny to play. She even spotted a tire swing tied to an ancient oak in the front yard that would provide a much-needed diversion for her child. Yes, this would definitely do, at least for the time being.
Chase slid out of the driver’s side and Jess followed suit, opening the door for Danny, who refused to take her offered hand. Maybe after they’d settled in, he’d be more himself again. Maybe he’d even talk to her again.
Chase lifted the dusty welcome mat and retrieved a key that anyone with any sense could have found and helped themselves to whatever remained in the house. But in Placid, crime was low and life was simple. Most people had very few possessions that anyone would deem valuable.
The minute Jess stepped onto the scuffed hardwood floors, she was overwhelmed by the musty smell and the amount of stuff scattered about the small living room. Numerous trinkets, along with portraits of children and their children, sat out on various tables and stationary shelves lining the walls. A family’s legacy proudly on display.
Chase turned and handed her the key while Danny remained at the door. “Gabe said you’ll find everything you need and then some.”
She tucked the key into the pocket of her jeans while she continued to survey the living room and its personal treasures. “No kidding. I feel like I’m in a museum.”
“He also said Millie comes over now and then to clean the place but she hasn’t been here in a while.”
Jess remembered Gabe’s wife, Millie, very fondly. She’d worked in the high school cafeteria to supplement Gabe’s farming income and she’d always sported a smile while serving questionable fare. Unfortunately, Gabe was about as crabby as they came. “As long as we have a roof over our heads, I can deal with tidying up. How much does he want for rent?”
Chase’s gaze faltered. “Nine hundred a month plus utilities. No deposit or lease required.”
Highway robbery as far as Jess was concerned, especially if her job was in jeopardy. She wouldn’t know for certain until after the first of the year, unless she happened to be indicted. Even if she was cleared of all wrong-doing, some would want her contract terminated immediately, namely Edwin. Then she would have no choice but to leave her hometown. “Does Gabe know I’m the prospective tenant?”
Chase brought his attention back to her. “Not yet. I told him I was asking for a friend and I’d call if we’re interested after we checked the place out. But he’s going to want to know who’s renting the house if you decide to take it.”
What choice did she have? “The price is a little steep but beggars can’t be choosers. And as far as Gabe knowing I’m renting the house, I imagine everyone’s going to hear about what happened last night sooner or later.” More than likely sooner.
“Okay. I’ll let him know and drop off the rent during my shift.”
That posed another problem. “My checkbook’s at the house.”
“I’ll take care of it.”
Jess already owed him too much. “I’ll pay you back as soon as I get the rest of my things. What about the utilities?”
Chase dropped down on the shabby blue sofa. “The electricity’s still on but the heat runs on propane and the tank’s empty. I’ll call Freddie and see if he can deliver some tomorrow.”
“It’s not supposed to be too cold tonight. We’ll manage.” Jess pointed at the pot-belly stove in the corner. “Or we could use that I guess.”
“I’ll see if I can find some wood before I go.”
Jess didn’t want him to go, but she also didn’t dare ask him to stay. “As long as we have blankets, we’ll be okay until tomorrow. What time are you on today?”
He came to his feet. “I work eleven to eleven.”
“A twelve-hour shift?”
“That’s what happens when you’re short on manpower.”
That meant he had little time left before he had to leave, and she probably